The gene therapy pioneer bluebird bio has snapped up a biotech outfit skilled in gene-editing and cell-signaling tech in a deal valued at up to $156 million, including about $16 million worth of its stock. …read more Source: Bluebird snares gene-editing tech in $156M buyout deal
Merck is racing to be first on the market among contenders in the PD-1 field of cancer therapy, and the European Medicines Agency has agreed to review its pembrolizumab as a treatment for advanced melanoma. …read more Source: Merck takes to Europe with its promising PD-1 cancer drug
The FDA has handed out its third rejection of a new, inhalable migraine therapy Allergan had hoped could be used to help fend off Valeant’s buyout bid. The big biotech did get some good news, though, announcing that the agency approved Ozurdex for diabetic macular degeneration. …read more Source: FDA hands out its third rejection […]
This year’s explosion of pharma deals, both real and rumored, has put a spotlight on the U.K.’s complicated, far-reaching rules on corporate takeovers, and AbbVie’s $46 billion pursuit of Shire has teased out a new wrinkle. Under local law, the Irish-headquartered Shire is unable to make any big buyouts of its own until AbbVie’s pitching […]
Cidara Therapeutics has emerged from stealth mode with a crew of experienced biotech execs, a $32 million bankroll from a slate of top-shelf venture investors and a plan to make a difference in developing frontline antifungal drugs. …read more Source: Biotech vets sign up to launch Cidara with $32M, new drugs for fungal infections
A higher price could get a deal done between Pfizer and AstraZeneca if British regulators play along, but investors aren’t convinced that would be a particularly good outcome for either company. The two pharmas aren’t far apart on price, and any renewal of negotiations could come as early as August. …read more Source: Another Pfizer […]
…read more Source: After multiple studies, MannKind finally wins an FDA OK for inhaled insulin Afrezza
…read more Source: Concordia could be an inversion target; MiRagen re-ups with Servier;
In science, there’s a 10-year horizon for major innovations to come to fruition, biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong said, and while timeline may not jibe with the expectations of many investors, success in the field demands patience. …read more Source: Soon-Shiong: Investors should be patient with biotech
Retrophin, the biotech venture of former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli, startled investors Friday morning when it revealed that elevated levels of liver enzymes briefly derailed a study of its rare disease candidate, sending the company’s shares down more than 8%. …read more Source: Retrophin slips on liver woes in rare disease drug’s first trial […]
